AboutNathan Riggs Expertise I have expertise in identifying and diagnosing insects, spiders, and other arthropod critters that infest lawns, ornamentals, structures, trees, pets and livestock. Mites are not a strong point of mine, but I can provide some help. I'm not a licensed doctor, so I cannot provide medical diagnosis of conditions possibly related to insects. If you've got an interesting photo for me to see, let me know and I'll give you my email so the picture will get to me. If you have hosted an insect photo on a website, please include the link so I can go look at it and provide a faster ID for you. Don't forget...you can now attach pictures to your questions as well!
Experience 15 Years' Experience as an entomologist: 5 years as a biologist with Merck Animal Health and 7 years as a Pest Management Specialist in San Antonio, Texas with Texas Cooperative Extension.
Organizations Publications Veterinary Parasitology, Southwestern Entomologist, San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Gardener Newsletter
Education/Credentials BS - Entomology from Texas A&M University in 1992.
Board Certified Entomologist, 1996-2000 - Medical and Veterinary Entomology Specialty (Entomological Society of America)
Awards and Honors Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence - 2000 for leadership on the Texas Fire Ant Program Educational Team.
Question For the past 3 weeks or so, (since it finally warmed up here in Minneapolis), I've been getting bit by some bug I can't see. The bites are everywhere, legs, arms, torso, back...but I only have like 10 or so at a time. I get large red itchy welts/ hives, ranging from dime to half dollar sized. They itch like crazy, and it's all I can do not to claw my skin off at times.
My roommates and boyfriend are not getting bit. I've checked for bed bugs, it's not fleas. The only thing I've found that seems vaguely promising is this morning I found pin head sized white, round to oval shaped bug on my shoulder. At least I think it was a bug, it was so small, and I think I squished it a little when I removed it, that it was hard to be sure.
The only thing I've found to help the itching a little is to take allavert, but I would still like to know what the bug is to possibly get rid of it, rather then treat the bites.
Please help.
Answer Possibilities include thrips, mites (chiggers, bird, rat, clover, or grain), or no see ums (very small biting flies).
You can probably rule out the little white bug.
It is also possible that you are having an allergic reaction to something, dry skin, or a recent stress that is causing the condition.
